District of Andaman is Northern Part of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and comprises of 550 Islands, Islets and rocks out of which only 26 are inhabited. Some of these islands are large such as Middle Andaman, North Andaman, South Andaman, Baratang and Little Andaman islands. The northern most island is Landfall and southern most Little Andaman. The total area of Andaman District is 6,408 Sq.Kms. The highest point of the territory is also situated in this District at Diglipur. There are four primitive tribes in Andaman District and they have been recognised as belonging to the Negrito stock, namely Great Andamanese, Onges, Jarawas and Sentinelese.

Floating in splendid isolation, east of the Indian mainland is the archipelago of 572 emerald islands, islets and rocks known as Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This Union Territory is stretched over an area of more than 800 kms. from north to south with 36 inhabited islands. Once a hill range extending from Burma(Myanmar) to exotic flowers and birds. The topography of the islands is hilly and abounds in evergreen forests. The sandy beaches on the edge of meandering coastline are fringed with coconut-palms that sway to the rhythm of the sea. The sea around the islands offer excellent scope for water sports. The rare flora and fauna, underwater marine life and corals, with crystal clear water and mangrove-lined creeks, offer a dream-view of the rare gifts of nature. The clean and wide roads, free of filth as well as unpolluted fresh air attract any nature-lover, who seek absolute peace and tranquility in the lap of mother nature. Adventure tourism like trekking, island camping, snorkeling, scuba diving etc., are the real attractions. A visit to these islands is a memorable lifetime experience.

Mythologically , the name Andaman was presumed to be derived from Hanuman, who was known to the Malays as Handuman. Since pre-historic times, these islands were the home of aboriginal tribes. The tribes of the Andaman group of islands are the Great Andamanese , Onges , Jarawas , and Sentinalese , all of Negrito origin, while the tribes of Nicobars are the Nicobarese and Shompens, both of Mongoloid stock. The first settlement by the British took place in 1789 , which was later abandoned in 1796. The second settlement was basically a penal settlement, taken up in 1858, after the First War of Independence, followed by the settlement of convicts, Moplas, some criminal tribes from Central and United Provinces, refugees from erstwhile East Pakistan, Burma and Sri Lanka as well as ex-servicemen.

In these islands people of all faiths-Hindus, Muslims, Christians , Sikhs etc., and of all languages like Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Nicobari etc., live together in complete peace and harmony. Inter-religion and inter-regional marriages are common. This amazing racial and cultural mix is correctly described as Mini-India.

Forests are the green gold of the islands. The reserved and protected forests extend over 86% area of the territory and the forest cover is more than 92% About 50% of the forests has been set aside as Tribal Reserves, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries, which are inviolate. Luxuriant mangroves , perhaps one of the riches in the world, occupy nearly 11.5% of the territory. More than 150 plant and animal species are endemic in nature. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is rich in corals, varieties of coloured fishes, sea turtles etc., besides other marine life. It is a bird's paradise - more than 271 varieties of birds inhabit the idyllic landscape, out of which 39 are endemic. Megapode, Swiflet, Hornbill and Nicobar, Pigeon are some of the specialties of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The Andaman Islands, comprising India’s most remote state, are situated 1000 km off the east coast in the middle of the Bay of Bengal, connected tot eh mainland by flights and ferries from Kolkata, Chennai and Vishakapatnam. Thickly covered by deep green tropical forest, the archipelago supports a profusion of wildlife, including some extremely rare species of bird, but the principal attraction for tourists lies offshore, around the pristine reefs ringing most of the islands. Filling with colorful fish and kaleidoscopic corals, the crystal clear waters of the Andaman sea feature some of the world’s riches and least spoilt marine reserves – perfect for snorkeling and effort required to get there, the lack if infrastructure and certain increases health rick, as well as ethical concerns about ecological and tribal issues rather outweigh the benefits of a trip.

For administrative purpose, the Andamans are grouped with the Nicbar Islands.200 km further south but, as yet, strictly off – limits to foreigners. Approximatley 200 islands make up the Andamans grop and nineteen the Nicobar. They are islands of varying size, the summits of a submarine mountain range stretching 755 km from the Arakan Yoma chain in Burma (Myanmar) to the fringes of Sumatra in the south. All but the most remote of these are populated in parts by indigenous tribes whose numbers have been slashed dramatically as a result of nineteenth century European settlement and, more recently, rampant deforestation..Today, new felling is supposed to be a thing of the past, and all of the islands forests are officially protected, though there is evidence that padauk and teak are still being used extensively for building materials, furniture and tourist knick – knacks.

Foreign tourists are only permitted to visit certain parts of the Andaman group, separated by the deep Ten Degree Channel from the Nicobar Islands . The point of arrival for boats and planes is South Andaman, where the predominately Tamil and Bengali community in the small but busy capital Port Blair, accounts for almost half the total population. Permits now obtainable on arrival by both sea and air are granted for a stay of one month. Permits are usually extendable for fifteen days beyond te original thirty but the authorities sometimes only allow you to stay in Port Blair for that period.

Although closer to mainland Myanmar the Andamans still runs on Indian time and hence it gets dark by 6 PM and light by 4 AM. The town is spread over several hills, but most of the hotels, bus stands and shops are centered in the central area of Aberdeen Bazaar. The airport is located a few kilometers south of the town and the nearest beach is at Corbyn’s Cove about 7 Kms away.

The Andaman Group has , at the extreme north, Lands Fall island followed by the three main islands of North Andaman, Middle Andaman and South Andaman – all separated from each other by shallow seas. This area is known as Great Andaman. Further south, about 100 kms from Port Blair lays the Little Andaman Island . Apart from this, there are a large number of smaller islands almost insignificant in size.

There are only a handful of sights in Port Blair but if you have a yen for scuba diving, fishing or bird watching, you will find plenty to do.

Cellular Jail – Build by British between 1886 – 1906, the cellular Jain is today preserved as a shrine to Indian Freedom Fighters and is a major tourist attraction.

Museums – Maintained, by the Indian Navy,is the Samudrika marine museum that has galleries dedicated to the history, geography marine life,archaelogy and the people of the islands. There is an interesting Aquarium formally known as the Fisheries museum that displays over 350 species of the Andaman sea. The Anthropological museum displays the tools, dress and photographs of the different indigenous tribes of the Andaman and there is also an interesting library here and the museum is open on all days except Sundays and public holidays. The Forest museum houses samples of locally grown woods, including padauk.

Mini Zoo – There are over 20 indigenous species of animals found exclusively on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.A few can be seen at this mini zoo.

Chattam Sawmill – This is the largest wood processing unit in Asia. Situated on Chatham Island5 km away from Aberdeen bazaar.

Water Sports Complex – There is water sports complex close to the Aquarium there you can rent rowboats.

Around Port Blair

Viper Island – Near Haddo harbour at the mouth of Port Blair where convicts were interned before the Cellular jail was completed stands the ruins of a mute reminder to the tragic history of this region.This island was named Viper after a British ship that was wrecked here in the 19th century.

Mt Harrier & Madhuban – Across the inlet,north of Port Blair is Mt Harriet (365 m) where there is a nature trail right to the top.With prior permission you can stay at the lovely forest guesthouse of the Forest Department.

Ross Island– Couple of kilometers east of Port Blair is Ross Island , formely administrative capital of the British now in ruins. One top of the hill stand the remains of an impressive Anglican church and the Subaltern’s club

Corbyn’s Cove – Lying 7 kms south of Port Blair, this is the closest beach to Port Blair, and one of the most popular. The water is warm with gentle surf and the white sand beach is clean and palm fringed. The easiest way to get here is by taxi and there are a couple of good though slight overpriced

restaurant here.

Sippighat Farm – About 15 kms away from Port Blair is this Government demonstration farm, where you get to see cash crops such as spices and other plants being propagated.

Wandor – About 30 kms out of Port Blair is Wandoor home to Mahatma Gandhi National Marine park comprising 15 islands, covering an area of 280 sq kms separated by deep blue waters.

Chiruya Tapu – At the south tip of south Andaman is Chiraya Tapu,a tiny fishing village with mangroves, excellent beaches and good snorkeling popular bird watching destination,Chiraya Tapu makes an easy day visit being only and hour away by road and is well worth visiting.

Neil Island – Predominantly populated by Bengalis, situated 40 Kms northeast of port Blair is the Neil Island , an excellent place for snorkeling and swimming.

Havelock Island – A principal centre of tourism outside Port Blair, Havelock Island is indeed a beach lovers paradise with white beaches , crystal clear waters and snorkeling. The marine life here includes dolphins, turtles and large fish. This is the most popular island with the tourists, but bewares of the sand flies that can be a nuisance. There are a few good places here to stay.

Long Island – This settlement has only one village and a plywood factory dominates it. Located off the southeast coast of Middle Andaman, Long Island is eight hours way by ferry from Port Blair.

Middle Andaman – The Andaman Trunk Road is the only road that connects north to Bharatang Island and Middle Andaman, besides ferries. Independent travel by road is not permitted as the road passes through restricted Jarwa tribal reserve.However, there are daily buses to Rangat and Mayabunder with armed guards to keep the often hostile Jarwa at bay.

North Andaman – The only place in North Andaman where foreigners are permitted to stay overnight is Diglipur.

Cinque Island – North and South Cinque is part of the Wandoor National park and is uninhabited. Only day visit are permitted here and iif you are not part of a trip organized by travel agents, you will need tot get permission from t he forest Department to visit.

Little Andaman – Northern Little Andaman is open to visitors and about a hundred of the remaining members of the Onge tribes are confines to a reserve south of this island. The main beach at Buttler Bay is good for swimming but not snorkeling.